Cadmium metal and cadmium oxide - Summary risk assessment report

Abstract

This report provides a summary, with conclusions, of the risk assessment report of the substances cadmium metal and cadmium oxide that has been prepared by Belgium in the context of Council Regulation (EEC) No. 793/93 on the evaluation and control of existing substances.The present study essentially covers the production of cadmium metal and cadmium oxide, the use of these substances in the production of stabilisers, pigments, alloys and plated products. Further down-stream uses are not or partly included. However, major attention is attributed to the most important application, i.e. batteries with the whole life-cycle covered, thus including the main waste management options (recycling, incineration and landfill).The risk assessments of metallic Cd and of CdO are combined in one study because both products transform into the environment to the same form and risk is associated with exposure to the most toxic form, mainly ionic Cd2+.For detailed information on the risk assessment principles and procedures followed, the underlying data and the literature references the reader is referred to the comprehensive Final Risk Assessment Report (Final RAR) that can be obtained from the European Chemicals Bureau1. The Final RAR should be used for citation purposes rather than this present Summary Report.